Australian miner Burgundy Diamond Mines, operating the Ekati mine in Canada's Northwest Territories is looking at the potential to extend the Misery underground mine's life beyond the anticipated 2025 end of life date. Extension drilling is ongoing to assess whether the main ore body is deeper and wider than originally assumed. Updated resource estimates are expected to be announced later this year, with an updated mine plan. 

Photo credit: Burgundy Diamond Mines

Russian diamond mining company Alrosa, through its Almazy Anabara subsidiairy has purchased the Degdekan gold mine from Polyus for US$276m. Commencing production in 2028, at full capacity, the mine is expected to produce around 3.3 tonnes of gold annually, with an estimated life span that runs through to 2046, estimated at 100 tonnes. Both Alrosa and Polyus are subject to Western sanctions. 

Photo credit: Envato Elements

Tiffany Stevens, previously serving as CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) this week assumed the role of Chief Business Officer and Head of Sustainability of the International Gemological Institute (IGI) for North America. Building on years of experience in sustainability matters, including leading JVC in guiding jewelers on sanctions and transparent supply chains, Stevens says to be excited to advance gemology education, promote transparency and responsibility in her new role at IGI. 

In the wake of Antwerp World Diamond Centre's Board elections held two weeks ago, the organization today announces the confirmation of Isidore Mörsel as President of the Board. Mörsel succeeds himself while Ravi Bhansali, who is joining AWDC's Board for the first time, was appointed Vice-President.

Rio Tinto has completed a 3.5 megawatt (MW) solar power plant at its Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories, the largest off-grid solar facility in Canada’s territories. Featuring 6,620 panels, the plant generates 4.2 million kilowatt-hours annually, cutting diesel use by one million liters per year and cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2,900 tonnes of CO2 equivalent—comparable to removing 630 cars from the road.

As of September 1 of this year, Frenchman Louis Ferla, who has already been CEO of Vacheron Constanin since 2017, will assume the role as CEO of Cartier. He thus succeeds Cyrille Vigneron who, after eight successful years at the head of this Maison, has decided to retire. Mr. Vigneron does not disappear from the scene, as he will continue to assume the role of Chairman of Cartier Culture & Philanthropy. 

Lucapa announces a conditional Sale and Purchase agreement has been reached with Lephema Executive Transport Ltd, having provided long-term mining services to the mine, for its 70% stake in the Mothae mine in Lesotho. Mid May, Lucapa announced its plans to divest the Lesotho operation in favor of focusing on the miner's assets in Australia and Angola.

the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced a pilot program for jewelry reports, which will include metal verification, links to existing loose diamond GIA grading reports and clarity, color and carat of other diamonds. Customers will be able to choose to add services such as new engravings or a 360° video. Interested parties can register on a waiting list. 

Today, the EU has adopted the 14th package of sanctions against Russia, including ‘grandfathering’.

Election fever has been peaking the past few days in Antwerp. On June 17 and 18, voters from across the Antwerp diamond industry were able to cast their votes for their favorite candidates for the new Board of Directors of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). During these elections, it is the 6 directors representing the trade who are elected. Over 1309 votes where submitted, a record turnout according to the AWDC. In the meantime, the votes are counted and the winners of these important elections are known.

The six candidates with the highest number of votes are:

At the JCK Las Vegas Sustainability Summit, the Watch and Jewellery Initiative 2030 (WJI 2030) launched the Nature Roadmap, a framework designed to guide the global watch and jewellery industry in addressing the biodiversity crisis. The roadmap outlines essential steps: Assess, Commit, Transform, and Disclose.

Gem Diamonds has announced the recovery of an exceptional 172.06ct Type II white rough diamond, the seventh 100+ct diamond recovered at its Letšeng mine this year alone. 

In a surprising move, Botswana President Masisi yesterday left the country to join industry stakeholders at the 2024 JCK Las Vegas show. Botswana finds itself in the middle of a perfect storm of challenges: De Beers' parent company Anglo American recently became the target of potential take-over bids, which led to Anglo announcing plans to spin off its diamond business.

Gem Diamonds Limited, the company that owns 70% of the Letseng mine in Lesoto, announced today the discovery of a 212.49ct Type II White Diamond. This remarkable stone was brought to the surface on May 28 and it is the sixth diamond weighing more than 100 carats to be unearthed this year from that mine. 

Lucapa Diamond Company announced yesterday the recovery of a 195 carat diamond, discovered in the Lulo Alluvial Mine in Angola. It involves a type IIa diamond, which occurs only very rarely in nature. Special about this type of diamonds is the fact that they have no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities, making them the most chemically pure diamonds with the highest thermal conductivity that exists. Mostly these diamonds are colorless, but they can also be gray, light brown, light yellow or light pink.

In a statement, Signet, one of the largest diamond retailers in the world and diamond miner De Beers announced they will be collaborating on a marketing project to boost demand for natural diamonds.

Are lab-grown diamonds, to the naked eye identical to and sharing identical chemical and physical properties with natural diamonds, but 40-50% less expensive, that sustainable as often claimed by its producers? 

The world of high-end jewelry auctions recently witnessed a dazzling display of opulence and prestige, with events in both Hong Kong and Geneva showcasing exceptional diamonds, gemstones, and exquisite craftsmanship.

Watches of Switzerland (UK based) has acquired Roberto Coin Inc. the US division of the Italian jeweller and 6th largest brand in the US by sales through 400 points of sale, for US$130m. The acquisition will allow the group to increase the volume of Roberto Coin jewelry in its own retail network as well as the exclusive right to expand the wholesale reach of Roberto Coin Inc., which will operate as a standalone company within the group. The acquisition demonstrates the increasing importance of branded jewelry in the global retail landscape, National Jeweler notes. 

The International Gemological Institute (IGI), introduces Light Performance Grading Reports showcasing round brilliant cut diamonds with exceptional optical qualities. Whit this easy accessible and science based report along with cutting guidelines, the company wants to empower diamond producers to get the best possible cutting results. This tool, developed by IGI researchers and based on ray-tracing software and slope proportions logic, is a response to an increasing interest in expanded performance analysis.

This year's MET Gala red carpet in Manhattan, the most prestigious and glamorous fashion event of the year, themed "The Garden of Time" was dripping in diamonds. The Natural Diamond Council (NDC)'s Only Natural Diamonds site lists an impressive overview of the world's rich and famous and what they wore on the annual fundraising gala, with some of the most lavish and exquisite diamond jewelry pieces taking center stage.

About 100 units in India's LGD growing and manufacturing industry have voted to observe a 15-day summer holiday starting May 15, hoping to control the rough and polished LGD supply and stopping the massive price drops seen in the LGD market. Traditionally, the (natural) diamond industry closes shop for a holiday period during Diwali.

Burgundy Diamond Mines, reports strong results for Q1 2024 despite a subdued rough and polished market, with record revenues of US$117m for 1.32m cts sold (+65% in volume y-o-y). CEO Kim Truter cites Burgundy's consistent diamond quality and provenance assurances as key drivers for strong buyer interest. In Q1, Burgundy recovered 1.15m carats, including a 23.15ct fancy intense yellow. 

_{Photo credit Burgundy Diamond Mines}

De Beers Group has moved its Auction business headquarters from Singapore to Botswana, aiming to boost operational efficiency. CEO Al Cook expressed confidence in the move's potential to drive cost efficiencies and elevate customer satisfaction.

In the the latest Monthly Sales Survey, conducted by Instore Magazine,  146 jewelers were asked to compare their March sales with those of the same month last year. While some businesses experienced significant gains, others faced challenges. Here's a breakdown of the key findings:

Sales Performance Overview:

The words of Botswana's President Masisi during his opening address of AWDC's Facets conference in Gaborone last year, when he described Lab-Grown Diamonds (LGD) as "microwave diamonds" come to mind as news came that South Korean scientist claim to have produced a synthetic diamond in little over two hours, using a new method that omits the need to mimic the immense pressure needed to form a diamond artificially. LGD production processes to date still require a significant amount of time to produce a diamond.

Petra Diamonds recently made headlines with the sale of an exceptional US$8.2 million blue diamond, propelling its fifth tender of FY 2024 to new heights. Despite selling fewer carats, Petra achieved higher prices, with an average of US$136 per carat on sales of 362,000 carats, totaling US$49 million.

Gem Diamonds, who owns 70% of the Letšeng mine in Lesotho, has released its Q1 2024 Trading Update, which showcases robust operational and sales performances from January 1st to March 31st, 2024.

Key Highlights from Q1: 

ASX-listed Lucapa Diamond Company announced that three exceptional diamonds achieved US$10.5 million at the first tender of Lulo diamonds for 2024.

Namibian Mining News reports that at Mining Indaba, Namdia has unveiled plans to invest a massive 3.4bn US$ over the next ten years, expanding its operations, including through social responsiblity actions in its "Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework" and renewing its focus on exploration, aligned with more accessible and up to date exploration licenses and mining rights information via an e-platform. Namibia, ramping up its activities in green energy rapidly, is a mineral-rich country with huge potential in critical minerals such as lithium and rare earths.